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Trip details | Dates & prices | Itinerary | Falkland Islands | South Georgia | Antarctica |
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| Wildlife & Marine Life of the Falkland Islands | ||
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Aqua-Firma's Wildlife of the Falkland Islands experience provides an in depth look at one of sub-Antartica's under appreciated wildlife gems. The Falkland Islands are a rugged and spectacular archipelago of 740 islands covering a surface area roughly equivalent to Connecticut or half the size of Wales. The permanent human population of this far flung territory is only around 2500 friendly and welcoming residents - compare this to the island's wildlife population and you can begin to see the islands' appeal: The Falkland's boasts 60% of the world's black browed albatross population and 5 species of penguin numbering around 500,000 breeding pairs. This includes one of the world's major King Penguin colonies. It is also a key location for marine mammals in the sub-Antarctic region, with major breeding colonies of Elephant Seals, southern sealions, Peal's and Commerson's dolphins. Drawn to these marine mammals there are several resident pods of Orca who often cruise these coasts on the look out the young and weak.
This Wildlife of the Falklands itinerary provides a much more comprehensive look at these islands than a combined Antarctica, South Georgia and Falkland Islands Voyage. Our itinerary focuses on three of the islands major wildlife hotspots. The first, Pebble Island is famed for its large and busy colonies of Gentoo, Rockhopper and Magellanic Penguins, often seen gathered in great numbers of islands pristine white sand beaches and rocky shores. Southern Sealions haul out in noisy congregations at Cape Tamar and dolphins are often seen cruising close to Elephant Beach. Sea Lion Island is renowned for it's huge elephant seal breeding colonies and Orca population. There are about 2,000 elephant seals here, so viewing males weighing up 4 tonnes hauled out in the tussac grass and sampling their distinctly unsavoury breath, is a wildlife experience not easily forgotten! Finally Volunteer Point, within driving distance of Stanley is the site of a major King Penguin Colony, in addition to Megellanic and Gentoo Penguins, and provides one best opportunities to view these colourful birds anywhere. The beach at Volunteer Point is spectacular and windswept, but the penguins don't have it all their own way - sealions are often seen hunting unwary birds along this coastline. At each site we have ample time to maximise wildlife viewing and photography opportunities and fully appreciate the special environment of the Falklands. Spending time with the friendly Falklands Islands residents and learning more of their unique and often turbulent history can also be considered a highlight. Stanley offers colourful buildings, museums and frontier feel. One full day is included for finding you way round and exploring this unique community. A visit to the Falklands, a wildlife packed wilderness of wild seas, coast and rugged land is sure to remain in your memory long after you've left these undiscovered island gems behind! Photographs kindly provided by Chloe Burnett, Nigel McCall, Allan White, Per Lidvall |
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